Doi Tung, Chiang Rai, 3 December, 2015 – The Colors of Doi Tung Festival is returning to transform the mountains of Doi Tung into the highest elevated walking street in Thailand at 1,000 metres above sea level, filled with shops, food, arts and entertainments every weekend from 28 November 2015 to 31 January 2016, as well as on 5 December 2015 and during the entire week of 26 December 2015 to 3 January 2016.
The Festival returns after last year’s success, and marks this year special occasion of “20 Years…the Memory Lives On” campaign to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of Her Royal Highness Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindra Baromraj Chonni (H.R.H. the Princess Mother). Having initiated the Doi Tung Development Project in 1988 and steered it through the first years, the love of the Princess Mother for the people of Doi Tung and their environment continues to inspire.
The Colors of Doi Tung makes the hills more vibrant and colorful than ever with exhibitions all around. The main art exhibition, “Wisdom of the Inspirer” by over 20 artists from Art Bridge Chiang Rai commemorates the Princess Mother and conveys her vision of man and nature in harmony, presenting an abundance of flowers, forests, and all kinds of animals big and small.
A parallel exhibition is the “Photo Exhibition by Little Photographers” by local children who share the beauty and the stories of Doi Tung through their own eyes. Also not to be missed is the Flower Village in the middle of the Mae Fah Luang Garden, displaying its colors through the day and gleaming into the night until 8 p.m.
Another highlight is the Hill Tribe Walking Bazaar, showcasing over 50 stalls of traditional food, drinks, and handicrafts of the ethnic minorities who live at Doi Tung. While satisfying the urge to shop, visitors can also foster the entrepreneurial skills of the local residents, following the Princess Mother’s vision to “help them to help themselves” as the ultimate goal of sustainable development.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful performances by the six ethnic minorities in Doi Tung: Akha, Lahu, Shan, Thai Lue, Lawa, and Chinese. Those who want to try out their creativity can join a number of DIY workshops, including ceramic making and painting, painting fabric bags, stitching notebooks, and making traditional Lanna flag or Tung, to be taken home as souvenirs of this memorable trip.
Also available is the exquisite “Dinner in the Garden” amidst the flowers. Advance reservation for the New Year’s Eve dinner is recommended for those planning a visit to Doi Tung for the New Year.
